Coast Electric, Singing River Electric experience ‘critical shortage of electricity’

Icy roads and travel delays aren’t the only things affected by the winter storm, which hits South Mississippi on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Both Coast Electric Power Association and Singing River Electric said early Thursday they were experiencing a “critical shortage of electricity.”

Both urged customers to reduce power use to conserve energy.

April Lollar, in a news release, urged Coast Electric customers to conserve energy by cutting off all non-essential electronics and to lower thermostats to 68 degrees. This excludes medical devices.

She said the winter storm is putting a strain on its electrical system and that rotating blackouts were possible. However, they were not needed by Wednesday afternoon.

“We want to remind our members that even though the public appeal is over, extreme cold temperatures mean their heating systems are working over time to make up the difference between the frigid temperatures outside and the setting of their thermostat,” she said. “Increased use means higher bills.”

Singing River Electric tweeted that their shortage situation had improved by 10:46 a.m.

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 8:14 AM with the headline "Coast Electric, Singing River Electric experience ‘critical shortage of electricity’."